Feisty, slightly mad but definitely talented; Diego is the latest exotic sounding playmaker to be heavily linked with Liverpool and has been in fine form for Atletico Madrid...

Feisty, slightly mad but definitely talented; Diego is the latest exotic sounding playmaker to be heavily linked with Liverpool and has been in fine form for Atletico Madrid…

As you would think, what with being Brazilian and wearing the number 10 (ok, so he wears 22 at Atletico, but you get the point), Diego is an excellent creative presence and could be the link between the attack and midfield Liverpool have lacked so badly this season. For Liverpool fans that crave a return to an attacking pass and move style, Diego would be an ideal buy as he enjoys possession and has a sublime passing range abetted by tremendous peripheral vision. Diego is one of those players who was bought up to think of a ball as just that rather than a ticking time bomb encased in leather. His range of passing is a lot more complete than Gerrard who often resorts to long balls and, despite not being quick, it is the areas in which he moves that would make him a good signing for Liverpool.

After making his name at Werder Bremen – where 20 goals from midfield in his final season saw them win both domestic cup competitions – his performances in the Champions League persuaded Juventus to shell out €24.5 million for his services, yet despite a handful of fine early performances and one delicious backheel to assist Del Piero against Genoa, his form with the bianconeri was fitful and he left for Wolfsburg after one season, a move that has been coloured by two fines, one for nicking the ball of the regular penalty taker and one of €510,000 for refusing to sit on the subs bench.

Diego is one of those players who was bought up think of a ball as just that rather than a ticking time bomb encased in leather.

This attitude could prove one stumbling block for Kenny Dalglish as the atmosphere at Anfield is a good one, yet they have far more to gain by signing Diego, especially if they could get him for a knock down fee. This is a player who has 33 caps for Brazil, has played at the highest level throughout his career and was part of a famed attacking quartet with Robinho, Elano and Alex when he came through the ranks at Santos. His form on loan at Atletico has been good, especially in Europe, and he has dovetailed beautifully with Falcao.

With Steven Gerrard sure to become more Captain Courageous, less Captain Fantastic, Liverpool need a proper Number 10 to provide flexibility for Dalglish and to link with the little and large partnership of Carroll and Suarez. As Manchester United have shown this season tactical flexibility is not optional if you want to compete at the highest level. If Liverpool hope to achieve their objective and get back into the Champions League next season they’ll need this flexibility and squad depth.

Forget collecting central midfielders. Liverpool need a Number 10, a hero who can take over from Gerrard’s advanced role and provide the long needed link between the midfield and the strikers. The presence of compatriot Lucas Leiva would surely help the player settle and, if there is anyone other than Alex Ferguson who can get the best out of a troubled yet talented player, then Kenny Dalglish is that man.

I'm pretty sure that this sentence makes no sense and could be a lot better...
"Diego is one of those players who was bought up think of a ball as just that rather than a ticking time bomb encased in leather."

We can but wet dream. Imagine him, Suarez and Stevie G bombing forward? They'd scare the life out of teams. But it won't happen. He's too much of a hothead but having other South American/Spanish speakers around might placate him.

Any team would be lucky to have Diego in it. As a Juve fan, I was really sad to see him go as he was the most interesting player we had since Nedved left. He's also not as bad tempered as the media make him out to be. Sublime talent.